Insert for sucker rod elevators



SPL 4, 1945- i A. H. NElLsoN v '2,384,331

INSERT FOR SUCKER ROD ELEVATORS VFiled Fb. '8, 1945.

oRNEY Patented Sept. 4, 1945 STATES A''ibl @FENCE 4 Claims.

The invention relates to inserts for sucker rod elevators, and has for its object to provide a split insert ring of the expansible type, and formed from a hard metal, for instance spring steel, and adapted to be forced into and allowed to expand into an annular groove in the elevator body in a position where it will be engaged .by the tapered portion of the end of a sucker rod for supporting the sucker rod in the elevator body.

A further object is to form the expansible nisert ring from round material so that the sucker rod can easily assume various suspended positions without binding on the ring and without scoring the tapered portion of the sucker rod.

A further object is to provide a horizontal shoulder beneath the ring for guiding the ring as it expands into the annular channel when the ring is inserted. The expansive action of the ring maintains the same in position in the channel and against rotation, thereby obviating the present practice of providing securing means for the rings, usually by drilling and screwing.

A further object is to provide a ring on each side of the elevator so the elevator can be refversed as desired for a rod supporting operation.

With the above and other objects in view the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawing, described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise ernbodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional form of elevator body, showing the rings applied thereto and with the locking mechanism eliminated, to better show the structure.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the central portion of the elevator body, showing a suction rod supported therein.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of one of the rings, showing the same contracted for inserting and the expanded position in dotted lines.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral I designates the elevator body which is suspended in the usual manner by means of trunnions 2 on a shackle, not shown. For purposes of clearness the locking member is left off the body I. The elevator l is provided with the usual side opening 3 so the shank 4 of the sucker rod 5 may be received in the elevator body and in the round portion 6 in the usual manner.

The round portions 6 of the elevator body are provided with annular channelsA 'l into which the expansible spring ring 8 expands and is held by the expansion action thereof. The spring rings 8 are formed from a hard spring metal so they will not easily wear and are round in cross section as shown in Figure 2, so that when either one engages the tapered portion 9 of the sucker rod the tapered portion, and consequently the whole sucker rod string may have a rocking action thereon, and at the same time the convexed inner periphery of the ring will present a smooth surface to the tapered portion 9 of the sucker rod, and will not bite into the tapered portion and mar and score the same, which is now the difliculty experienced with insert rings used in devices of this kind.

The outer ends of the round portions 6 terminate in flared portions l0 through which the rings may be forced to a position where they will expand into the channels l'. This may be a pressing operation if desired.

It will be obvious, by referring to Figure 2, that the sucker rod can swing out of axial position with a rocking and sliding movement on the upper ring 8, and this is made possible by forming the ring from spring steel, which is relatively hard, and by presenting a convexed surface of the ring for contact with the tapered portion 9 of the sucker rod, thereby reducing the contacting surfaces to a minimum, and in a shape and form where there will be a sliding movement as distinguished from a biting one when the sucker rod is out of axial relation with the elevator body.

The invention having been set forth what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. The combination with an elevator body having a rod receiving chamber extending therethrough, a rod shank in said chamber, said rod having a downwardly tapered portion disposed in the upper end of the chamber, of a split expansible hard steel ring disposed in an annular channel in the upper end of the chamber, said ring engaging the tapered portion of the rod.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ring is formed from hard metal and is round in cross section, thereby presenting a smooth convex engaging surface to the tapered portion of the rod.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 including a second expansible ring disposed in an annular channel in the bottom of the elevator body chamber.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upper end of the chamber terminates in an upwardly ared portion adapted to contact the ring and contract the ring as the ring is forced into the upper end of the chamber and into the annular channel.

ALBERT H. NEILSON 

